When Chris unexpectedly lost his mother his sophomore year, he sank into a depression. “I was just going through the motions of high school. I wanted to go to college, but I didn’t know how to apply,” he says in retrospect.

Sometimes those with the most to bear are the least equipped to manage their burden on their own. For many, a mentor is someone who altered a career path and who gave good advice. But for first-generation college students, having a mentor can mean the difference between success and failure.

As the season of light and giving begins, Communities throughout America are seeking hope in the aftermath of tragedy and loss. For those most impacted by Hurricane Harvey, anxiety and grief are juxtaposed with lights and festivities as both physical and emotional recovery continue.

When students experience homelessness, having a caring adult is essential to maintaining their sense of security and mental wellness. Click through to read about the work of CIS site coordinator, Anna Albonetti .

Though the White House declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency only last week, families across the nation have felt the effects of opioid addiction for decades. Often relegated to a footnote in this important conversation are infants, children, and teens—the collateral damage of crises like this one. Youth are often confined to the chaotic lives of their addicted parents.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine, CIS recognizes and honors the nine brave students who became the martyred figureheads of the battle for educational equality that is still being fought today.

Schools are the cornerstones of communities across America, serving as safe spaces for our kids both in times of disaster and during a regular school day. Communities In Schools was founded in response to the myriad of problems students encounter that preclude a sense of security.

Talitha Halley, a Katrina survivor and CIS Houston alum, expects seasonal depression each August as the anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina approaches. But this year she did not expect her annual remembrance to be compounded by another hurricane, this time bearing down on her post-Katrina home, Houston.